    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [November 13, 2004]
    [Pages 2971-2973]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    November 13, 2004

        Good morning. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Allawi of Iraq authorized military operations to rid the city
    of Fallujah of Saddam holdouts and foreign
    terrorists. American marines and soldiers, alongside Iraqi security
    forces, are on the offensive against the killers who have been using
    Fallujah as a base of operations for terrorist attacks and who have held
    the local population in the grip of fear.
        Fighting together, our forces have made significant progress in the
    last several days. They are taking back the city, clearing mosques of
    weapons and explosives stockpiled by insurgents, and restoring order for
    law-abiding citizens.
        In the course of this operation, Iraqi troops have discovered new
    evidence of the enemy's brutality. An Iraqi general has described
    hostage slaughter houses, where

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    terrorists have killed innocent victims and proudly recorded their
    barbaric crimes. The terrorists have shown once again the stakes of this
    struggle. They seek to spread fear and violence throughout Iraq,
    throughout the broader Middle East, and throughout the world, and they
    will fail. The terrorists will be defeated. Iraq will be free, and the
    world will be more secure. Our commitment to the success of democracy in
    Iraq is unshakable, and we will prevail.
        Ultimately, Iraq must be able to defend itself, and Iraqi security
    forces are taking increasing responsibility for their country's
    security. As we see in Fallujah and as we saw in Najaf and elsewhere,
    Iraqi security forces are standing and fighting and risking their lives
    for the future of their nation. As terrorists have targeted these
    forces, still more brave Iraqis have come forward as volunteers. Today,
    nearly 115,000 trained and equipped Iraqi soldiers, police officers, and
    other security personnel are serving their country. The Iraqi Government
    is on track to meet its goal of fielding more than 200,000 security
    personnel by the end of next year.
        In January, the Iraqi people will elect a transitional National
    Assembly, which will draft a new constitution to prepare the way for the
    election of a permanent Iraqi Government. The Iraqi people, like the
    people of Afghanistan before them, are embracing a democratic future
    even in the face of threats and intimidation. Throughout the country,
    Iraqi men and women are registering to vote; political parties are
    forming; candidates for office are stepping forward.
        International support for the Iraqi election is essential, and that
    support continues to grow. Military forces from some 30 nations are
    working alongside Iraqi forces, helping to establish stability and
    security. A U.N. team is providing critical technical support to Iraq's
    independent electoral commission. Other diplomatic personnel are helping
    the Iraqi people prepare for those elections to be held on schedule in
    January.
        As those elections draw near, the desperation of the killers will
    grow, and the violence could escalate. The success of democracy in Iraq
    would be a crushing blow to the forces of terror, and the terrorists
    know it. The defeat of terror in Iraq will set that nation on a course
    to lasting freedom and will give hope to millions, and the Iraqi people
    know it. And a free, democratic Iraq will inspire reformers throughout
    the Middle East and make America more secure.
        The United States and our allies have shown our determination to
    help Iraqis achieve their liberty. We will continue to stand by our
    friends, and we will finish the job.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 12:50 p.m. on November 12 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November
    13. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on November 12 but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. In his remarks, the President referred to Prime Minister Ayad
    Allawi of the Iraqi Interim Government; and former President Saddam
    Hussein of Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a
    Spanish language transcript of this address.

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